When and How to Get an Urgent Care Doctor's Note for Work

When You May Need a Doctor’s Note

Some sick leave situations where you may need to visit an urgent care facility and get a doctor's note (also called a sick note) for work, according to DrHouse.com, include:

• Illness: If you have a contagious illness such as the flu, COVID-19, or strep throat, you may need to stay home from work until you are no longer contagious. A doctor's note can provide proof of your illness and help your employer know how much time you may need to recover.

• Injury: If you have suffered an injury such as a sprain or fracture, you will likely need some time off work to recover. Once again, a doctor's note can provide proof of your injury and give a recommended timeframe for being off work.

• Medical appointment: If you need to attend a medical appointment during work hours, a doctor's note can be an acceptable way to verify your absence and get the time you need off.

• Family emergency: If you need to take a leave of absence to care for a family member who is ill or has suffered an injury, a doctor's note can be used to verify the nature of your time off.

Whether you have a physical illness, an injury, or just need a mental health day—urgent care clinics can be a fast and easy way to not only get care but also obtain a doctor’s note to excuse you from work duties. Read on to learn more about when and how to get a doctor’s note if you have to call in sick.

Common Illnesses and Injuries That May Require an Urgent Care Doctor's Note

If you are feeling unwell or have suffered an injury, you may need to take time off work to recover. Depending on your employer’s policies and the amount of time you need to take off, you may be required to provide a doctor's note to your employer to verify your absence and verify when you would be fit to return to your duty. Here are some common reasons why you may consider getting a doctor's note from urgent care:

• Influenza

• Strep throat

• COVID-19

• Sprains or strains that involve your muscles or joints

• A bone fracture

How to Get an Urgent Care Doctor's Note

If you need a doctor's note for work, an urgent care clinic is a fast and cost-effective way to get one. It's important to know what steps to take to obtain one, so here are some tips to help you get the documentation you need:

1. Find an urgent care near you that accepts your insurance and can diagnose your medical condition — you may need to use a specialty urgent care such as a mental health urgent care facility or pediatric urgent care. You can use Solv to help you find the best urgent care clinics in your area.

2. Call ahead to make sure the facility can provide you with a doctors note if your urgent care provider agrees that your condition requires a leave of absence from work. Additionally, some urgent care doctors may not be abe to give you a doctor excuse. This is important information to have before you see your urgent care doctor.

3. Schedule an appointment if necessary or simply walk in during the clinic’s walk-in hours.

4. Explain your situation to the doctor and request a doctors note for work. Your doctor may need to do an exam or recommend testing to confirm your diagnosis. If you need treatment, you can also get that done.

5. Follow any instructions the doctor gives you for obtaining the doctors note. This may include finding out if they need to use a specific note template.

6. Make sure to follow any follow-up instructions, which may include another visit to confirm you are well enough to return to work once your doctors note expires.

What to Bring With You When You Get a Doctor’s Note From Urgent Care

To make the process of obtaining a doctor's note as smooth as possible, it's important to bring the following items with you to your appointment:

• Your insurance card and your personal identification card

• Any records you may have confirming that you have/had the illness

• A list of any medications you are taking and any medical conditions you have

• Any relevant medical records or test results

• A description of your symptoms or condition

• Your employer's requirements for the doctor's note

• A return to work date for your note template

Tips for Communicating With Your Doctor

To ensure that your physician understands your situation and can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, it's important to communicate effectively. Here are some tips to help you do so:

• Be honest and open about your symptoms and medical history.

• Provide as much detail as possible about your condition and how long you need to have a medical excuse. You should also communicate when you will be able to return to work. Most urgent care doctors can help you determine your return to work date if you are unable about how long to take a medical leave of absence.

• Ask questions if you don't understand something the doctor says.

• Ask if you need to bring a doctors note template or if they provide one.

• Follow any instructions the physician gives you for treatment or follow-up care.

Submitting A Doctor's Note to Your Employer

Once you have obtained a doctors note, it is important to submit it to your employer as soon as possible. This will ensure that your employer is aware of your absence and the reason for it. Before you submit your note, you should find out who you are supposed to submit it to. Some companies will require you to submit your sick note to the human resources department and others may have you give the note directly to your boss. Here are some additional steps to consider:

• Make a copy of the original doctors note for your own records.

• Deliver the original doctors note to your employer as soon as possible. You can do this in person, by email, or by fax.

• Make sure that you follow any specific instructions or policies by your employer regarding how to submit the doctors note.

If your employer requests additional information or clarification regarding your doctor's note, it is important to respond promptly and provide additional documents with the necessary information in a timely manner.

You may need to contact your physician's office or the urgent care clinic you received your note from and ask them to provide additional information or clarification.

What Happens if You Don’t Get a Doctor’s Note

Each employer has a different policy regarding the need and use of doctor’s notes. For some employers, if you fail to obtain a doctor's note you may face disciplinary action or even termination from your job. It is important to understand the policies of your specific employer. These policies are usually available by speaking to your supervisor or human resources department.

The Importance of Obtaining a Doctor’s Note

Getting a doctor's note for work is important for some companies. Be aware of your employer’s specific policy regarding time off and doctor’s notes so that you are prepared if you ever need one.

If you do find yourself needing a doctor’s note, you can get one at most urgent care clinics—but make sure to call ahead to verify that they can help you.

Use Solv to search for an urgent care clinic near you.

Can You Get a Note From Virtual Doctors?

Telemedicine services offer the capability for patients to consult with licensed healthcare professionals via video calls, phone calls, or online messaging. During these consultations, doctors can assess the patient's symptoms, provide medical advice, and if necessary, issue a sick note or medical certificate. This process is particularly convenient for individuals who are unable to visit a doctor's office in person due to illness, mobility issues, or time constraints.

However, the availability and acceptance of virtual sick notes can vary depending on local regulations and employer policies, according to Blueberry Pediatrics. They note that some regions may have specific laws governing the issuance of medical certificates through telemedicine, and not all employers may accept virtual sick notes. Patients should check with their employer and local healthcare regulations to ensure that a virtual sick note will be recognized and accepted. If you are unable to get a note online, you should defer to your nearest walk in clinic, as most urgent care doctors can provide sick day notes as well as leave of medical absence notes and return to work notes.